Name:
Fuji Yamaguchi Age:
27 years old at 1938
Gender: Male Occupation:
A Japanese soldier in the Kwangtung Army, later a professor Appearance:
Big eyes. His height is about 170cm (5 ft 7 in) Location:
Japan Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits:
He is thoughtful, yet nonchalant. After the war broke out, he had no motivation to fight. His family were killed during Family:
Dead Father, Mother, 2 sisters Education:
Highschool graduate Languages you speak:
Japanese, later English, very little chinese Your main concerns at this time and in life:
None, he has no one to fight for or live for except himself. He doesn't seem to love himself much also.
Entry 1
1938, August 18th
Today was not a pleasant day. I have received orders from the army and I had to drag Koreans living in Japan to labor camps. As my peers were dragging these Koreans, I noticed this particular boy named, Sam Dong. He resisted like an idiot. I mean, what was he going to do, make a run for it from armed soldiers? As I was thinking, I felt a rock barely sliding across my face. I turned around and it was a bunch of other Korean kids who thought they were heroes. I wanted to tell them: there are no heroes, the men with bigger guns always win. They actually shot them. I was disturbed seeing teenagers get shot. After our troops successfully escorted the Koreans, we were dismissed to return to our barracks. I heard couple of my peers talking about the invasion going on in Shanghai, China. They were talking about how Hirohito, our emperor was a true leader because he had approved chemical weapons. Our troops were utilizing toxic materials to kill and invade another nations for their resources. I mean, how can they shoot young boys?
Today, I felt something. It is quite rare that I feel anything at all recently. My heart used to be something more like a vacant room awaiting nothing. Today, that room was full of disgust and indignation. The country where I used to have a loving family, a country where I spent my memorable childhood, that same country was deceasing mankind with a weapon that undermines every aspect of humanity. I say it is not even manly. Although I am a proud Japanese man, today I am ashamed. The reason it gives me such strong emotions is not merely the fact that the Japanese would think of utilizing that kind of weapon, but also my peers were proud of it. How can I work with a bunch of cowardice men with no dignity?
As I was sitting on my bed with abysmal disappointment, I received an order from my superior. His name was Minoru Oda, he was the Colonel in Japanese Imperial Army. He needed somebody to take care of his son, for he was off to fight a battle in Changsha, a city in China. I was actually looking forward to this assignment of mine. First of all, I could preserve my life a lot better sitting home with a kid than fighting in a deadly war. Also, I want to give my life a final chance to make a difference in this world. I will educate the boy into a strong man with courage and dignity.
Entry 2
October 10, 1939
The war was short lived, and now over. It was our first attempt to capture the city of Changsha. However, the Chinese did not fall to us. We did everything we could to fight the Chinese and take over the city. We used poison gas, although it was prohibited by the Geneva Protocol. Eventually, we conquered the city, but supply lines were cut off by the Chinese and ended there. In the duration of the war, I found something that was lost from me for a very long time. I was assigned a mission from my superior, Minoru Oda to be a male figure and protect his son in case anything happens. I first met this kid on September 10, 1939. Makoto Oda is his name. His home is where I have resided nearly for a month. During the time, I have tried to reform this kid into a more broad sighted boy, and not a parochial boy who only lives, dies, and cares for his own pride. It was hard because he has been educated and nearly hardened from his father, the most conservative Japanese ideologies: if it is for Japan, everything is justified.
The first couple of days, we did not converse as much. We certainly dined together and I kept him in my sight at all times. Soon, we talked more often. He would talk about his father and how much he dearly missed him. I sympathized, for I knew how it felt to feel the fear of losing a family member. I condoled him and somehow persuaded him that his father is going to come back very soon; I gained his trust. He started opening up to me and I talked about how a good man does not look out for his best interests, but looks out for the decency of humanity and moral values. He was awed and rather confused. He was shaping into a well adjusted boy.
One day of many days during the battle, I told the boy about the incident in Nanking. Although very unpleasant for a 11 year old, I censored many of the killings and horrific massacre and rapes that went on during this time of 1937. I was there to see every moment of it. It's an experience one man should not have to undertake in his lifetime. I told the boy that although our nation is beloved in our hearts, actions like that should be strongly condemned and be ashamed of. Surprisingly, he understood.
I was attached to this boy. He was the closest I've felt as family after mine passed. However, I had to go for my next assignment. I gave him my army knife as a token for him to remember me.
Entry 3
May 24, 1943
I am in Hong Kong, China. Japan has been very successful over the years. We have fought several wars against other imperialist nations and won all of the colonies over them, including Indochina, the Philippines, Hong Kong, East Indies, Malaya, and Singapore. I have been summoned here because they wanted more soldiers to be protecting the colonies. As I settled in my barracks and came out for a walk, a Chinese man caught my eyes with a beautiful piece of knife. I spoke a little bit of Chinese. I spoke to him and his name was Gao Qing Wen. He called himself a businessman and said that his knife was his friend's and he was taking it to his store. I asked him if he was willing to sell it and he consented. I was very happy, I needed a new knife and he provided me with one. I wanted to carry on a conversation. I talked to him about how Japan has met its peak of imperialism. He seemed to be insulted and left.
When I got back, I thought, if I were a businessman, or even a soldier living in a colonized nation, how would that feel? I believe in the American ideology of everyman being created equal. I felt this guilt inside of me that I was part of the effort to terrorize lives of others. I just felt out of Karma or the Golden Rule or whatever you call it, that Japan will pay for what they have done.
There were not much happenings in Hong Kong, but I heard that Japan has attacked the Pearl Harbor US Naval Base. I just feel like that was way too much on Japan's part. They should not attack preemptively and create a reason for them to defend themselves. I don't know; maybe Japan will learn a lesson to stop. Although I love my country and where I was born, if a bitter punishment will save our future generations, so be it.
I am tired of moving from place to place. I hope we stop soon with this power hungry campaigns and become a solid peaceful nation once again.
Entry 4
December 7th, 1972
Today has been an extraordinarily nostalgic day. The finding of this ancient diary has topped it off. I am back in Japan from my retirement trip to Hawaii. I am a middle class Japanese man and I make my living off by giving lectures about the unfortunate wars I've been in. The contemporary Japanese students cannot help but to reveal their intrigued, yet disgusted faces regarding the events. I still do not have a family, but those students of mine are like family. I am leading a relatively happy life.
I was sitting on a bench in the airport waiting for my flight. Next to me, I noticed a women holding a Chinese passport. In front of me, walked by an American man dressed in a military outfit with a banner denoting, "31 Years Anniversary in Remembrance of the Attack of Pearl Harbor." The women next to me commented out loud, "Pitiful, isn't it?" I replied, "What exactly is pitiful?" She went on about telling me how our generation has been blood thirsty and power hungry. Her name was Gao Xiaolian. Gao Xiaolian was extremely passionate about the Japanese invasion of China and the second World War which was inevitable. Although she blamed the Japanese for causing so much pains for many countries, including her own, she still sympathized for the Japanese civilians who had to pay for the government's corrupted ambition. I said, "I agree."
She then realized I was Japanese. Things got awkward and I left the scene.
In the plane ride back, I had plenty of time to reminisce about the past. There were numerous bombings and guerrilla fightings in the South east asian countries. I used to feel like it was time for things to stop and settle. Then, there were the notorious atomic bombs dropped twice once in Hiroshima and once in Nagasaki. I was absolutely devastated back then. My fellow Japanese men and women were decimated by the cruel bombings. I was in my barracks right on the outskirts of the explosion. When the bomb exploded, the radiation and the explosives did not reach where I was, however it shook the building and a piece of rock fell on my head causing a concussion. Fortunately, there was a medic named Saeng Myeong Kim and he saved my life; it was a close one.
Although I wanted Japan to pay some kind of price, this punishment was not acceptable. I felt raged. After the bombings Japan surrendered and, Japan was charged for all the inhumane acts they have committed: Human experimentations, massacres, use of chemical weapons, torture, cannibalism, and more that I do not want to remember.
The atomic bomb was never justified in my heart. Now, Japan is protected by the US and we do not have a big military. I think things went well and now, Japan is on its way to success.
If I never find this diary again, I loved my country with all my heart.
Name:
Fuji Yamaguchi
Age:
27 years old at 1938
Gender:
Male
Occupation:
A Japanese soldier in the Kwangtung Army, later a professor
Appearance:
Big eyes. His height is about 170cm (5 ft 7 in)
Location:
Japan
Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits:
He is thoughtful, yet nonchalant. After the war broke out, he had no motivation to fight. His family were killed during
Family:
Dead Father, Mother, 2 sisters
Education:
Highschool graduate
Languages you speak:
Japanese, later English, very little chinese
Your main concerns at this time and in life:
None, he has no one to fight for or live for except himself. He doesn't seem to love himself much also.
Entry 1
1938, August 18th
Today was not a pleasant day. I have received orders from the army and I had to drag Koreans living in Japan to labor camps. As my peers were dragging these Koreans, I noticed this particular boy named, Sam Dong. He resisted like an idiot. I mean, what was he going to do, make a run for it from armed soldiers? As I was thinking, I felt a rock barely sliding across my face. I turned around and it was a bunch of other Korean kids who thought they were heroes. I wanted to tell them: there are no heroes, the men with bigger guns always win. They actually shot them. I was disturbed seeing teenagers get shot. After our troops successfully escorted the Koreans, we were dismissed to return to our barracks. I heard couple of my peers talking about the invasion going on in Shanghai, China. They were talking about how Hirohito, our emperor was a true leader because he had approved chemical weapons. Our troops were utilizing toxic materials to kill and invade another nations for their resources. I mean, how can they shoot young boys?
Today, I felt something. It is quite rare that I feel anything at all recently. My heart used to be something more like a vacant room awaiting nothing. Today, that room was full of disgust and indignation. The country where I used to have a loving family, a country where I spent my memorable childhood, that same country was deceasing mankind with a weapon that undermines every aspect of humanity. I say it is not even manly. Although I am a proud Japanese man, today I am ashamed. The reason it gives me such strong emotions is not merely the fact that the Japanese would think of utilizing that kind of weapon, but also my peers were proud of it. How can I work with a bunch of cowardice men with no dignity?
As I was sitting on my bed with abysmal disappointment, I received an order from my superior. His name was Minoru Oda, he was the Colonel in Japanese Imperial Army. He needed somebody to take care of his son, for he was off to fight a battle in Changsha, a city in China. I was actually looking forward to this assignment of mine. First of all, I could preserve my life a lot better sitting home with a kid than fighting in a deadly war. Also, I want to give my life a final chance to make a difference in this world. I will educate the boy into a strong man with courage and dignity.
Entry 2
October 10, 1939
The war was short lived, and now over. It was our first attempt to capture the city of Changsha. However, the Chinese did not fall to us. We did everything we could to fight the Chinese and take over the city. We used poison gas, although it was prohibited by the Geneva Protocol. Eventually, we conquered the city, but supply lines were cut off by the Chinese and ended there. In the duration of the war, I found something that was lost from me for a very long time. I was assigned a mission from my superior, Minoru Oda to be a male figure and protect his son in case anything happens. I first met this kid on September 10, 1939. Makoto Oda is his name. His home is where I have resided nearly for a month. During the time, I have tried to reform this kid into a more broad sighted boy, and not a parochial boy who only lives, dies, and cares for his own pride. It was hard because he has been educated and nearly hardened from his father, the most conservative Japanese ideologies: if it is for Japan, everything is justified.
The first couple of days, we did not converse as much. We certainly dined together and I kept him in my sight at all times. Soon, we talked more often. He would talk about his father and how much he dearly missed him. I sympathized, for I knew how it felt to feel the fear of losing a family member. I condoled him and somehow persuaded him that his father is going to come back very soon; I gained his trust. He started opening up to me and I talked about how a good man does not look out for his best interests, but looks out for the decency of humanity and moral values. He was awed and rather confused. He was shaping into a well adjusted boy.
One day of many days during the battle, I told the boy about the incident in Nanking. Although very unpleasant for a 11 year old, I censored many of the killings and horrific massacre and rapes that went on during this time of 1937. I was there to see every moment of it. It's an experience one man should not have to undertake in his lifetime. I told the boy that although our nation is beloved in our hearts, actions like that should be strongly condemned and be ashamed of. Surprisingly, he understood.
I was attached to this boy. He was the closest I've felt as family after mine passed. However, I had to go for my next assignment. I gave him my army knife as a token for him to remember me.
Entry 3
May 24, 1943
I am in Hong Kong, China. Japan has been very successful over the years. We have fought several wars against other imperialist nations and won all of the colonies over them, including Indochina, the Philippines, Hong Kong, East Indies, Malaya, and Singapore. I have been summoned here because they wanted more soldiers to be protecting the colonies. As I settled in my barracks and came out for a walk, a Chinese man caught my eyes with a beautiful piece of knife. I spoke a little bit of Chinese. I spoke to him and his name was Gao Qing Wen. He called himself a businessman and said that his knife was his friend's and he was taking it to his store. I asked him if he was willing to sell it and he consented. I was very happy, I needed a new knife and he provided me with one. I wanted to carry on a conversation. I talked to him about how Japan has met its peak of imperialism. He seemed to be insulted and left.
When I got back, I thought, if I were a businessman, or even a soldier living in a colonized nation, how would that feel? I believe in the American ideology of everyman being created equal. I felt this guilt inside of me that I was part of the effort to terrorize lives of others. I just felt out of Karma or the Golden Rule or whatever you call it, that Japan will pay for what they have done.
There were not much happenings in Hong Kong, but I heard that Japan has attacked the Pearl Harbor US Naval Base. I just feel like that was way too much on Japan's part. They should not attack preemptively and create a reason for them to defend themselves. I don't know; maybe Japan will learn a lesson to stop. Although I love my country and where I was born, if a bitter punishment will save our future generations, so be it.
I am tired of moving from place to place. I hope we stop soon with this power hungry campaigns and become a solid peaceful nation once again.
Entry 4
December 7th, 1972
Today has been an extraordinarily nostalgic day. The finding of this ancient diary has topped it off. I am back in Japan from my retirement trip to Hawaii. I am a middle class Japanese man and I make my living off by giving lectures about the unfortunate wars I've been in. The contemporary Japanese students cannot help but to reveal their intrigued, yet disgusted faces regarding the events. I still do not have a family, but those students of mine are like family. I am leading a relatively happy life.
I was sitting on a bench in the airport waiting for my flight. Next to me, I noticed a women holding a Chinese passport. In front of me, walked by an American man dressed in a military outfit with a banner denoting, "31 Years Anniversary in Remembrance of the Attack of Pearl Harbor." The women next to me commented out loud, "Pitiful, isn't it?" I replied, "What exactly is pitiful?" She went on about telling me how our generation has been blood thirsty and power hungry. Her name was Gao Xiaolian. Gao Xiaolian was extremely passionate about the Japanese invasion of China and the second World War which was inevitable. Although she blamed the Japanese for causing so much pains for many countries, including her own, she still sympathized for the Japanese civilians who had to pay for the government's corrupted ambition. I said, "I agree."
She then realized I was Japanese. Things got awkward and I left the scene.
In the plane ride back, I had plenty of time to reminisce about the past. There were numerous bombings and guerrilla fightings in the South east asian countries. I used to feel like it was time for things to stop and settle. Then, there were the notorious atomic bombs dropped twice once in Hiroshima and once in Nagasaki. I was absolutely devastated back then. My fellow Japanese men and women were decimated by the cruel bombings. I was in my barracks right on the outskirts of the explosion. When the bomb exploded, the radiation and the explosives did not reach where I was, however it shook the building and a piece of rock fell on my head causing a concussion. Fortunately, there was a medic named Saeng Myeong Kim and he saved my life; it was a close one.
Although I wanted Japan to pay some kind of price, this punishment was not acceptable. I felt raged. After the bombings Japan surrendered and, Japan was charged for all the inhumane acts they have committed: Human experimentations, massacres, use of chemical weapons, torture, cannibalism, and more that I do not want to remember.
The atomic bomb was never justified in my heart. Now, Japan is protected by the US and we do not have a big military. I think things went well and now, Japan is on its way to success.
If I never find this diary again, I loved my country with all my heart.